18 August 2008

Samsung Mobile Innovator Announces
Availability Of The Samsung Mobile Software
Development Kit For Its TouchWiz User Interface

Samsung Mobile Innovator today announced the availability of the mobile widget software developer kit (SDK) for its unique TouchWiz user interface.

With the release of the Samsung Mobile Widget SDK, developers will have the opportunity to create widgets for different Samsung devices across multiple platforms, including Symbian S60, Windows Mobile, Google's Android and Samsung's propriety operating system.

"Samsung fully recognizes the challenges that developers face to develop and market mobile applications to consumers and businesses," said Omar Khan, senior vice president of strategy and product management, Samsung America.

"The Samsung Mobile Innovator program is a global program focused on giving developers the tools and the support that they need to develop and market widgets for Samsung’s lineup of TouchWiz-based devices and applications for different Samsung phones."

The Samsung Mobile Widget SDK, built on the developer-embraced open-source Eclipse platform, will provide developers with the tools they need to develop widgets that bring out the very best in Samsung phones.  Samsung Mobile Innovator focuses on three key areas:

• Developer Education
• Developer Tools
• Application Distribution & Marketing

Through the Samsung Mobile Innovator program, developers have real-time, 24/7 access to Samsung’s Virtual Device Lab, where they can check out and remotely test their applications on all current Samsung phones. Samsung’s developer tool kit also includes a variety of ever-evolving SDK tools, including the TouchWiz user interface, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Java.

After the widget development process is complete, Samsung Mobile Innovator offers developers the opportunity to pitch ideas directly to Samsung. These widgets have the potential to be included on Samsung devices as well as through other channels such as the Samsung Widget Gallery and Samsung’s own Application Store. The Samsung Omnia^TM II, which will be available with Verizon Wireless later this year, will be Samsung’s first handset to include the Widget Gallery.

For more information on Samsung Mobile Innovator and to download the Samsung Mobile Widget SDK, please visit www.innovator.samsungmobile.com.

Samsung Widget Developer Camp 2009

To kick-off the launch of the Samsung Mobile Widget SDK, Samsung will host its first Widget Developer Camp from September 11-13, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco. The camp will provide select developers with the opportunity to hear from the Samsung Mobile Innovator team about the program and develop unique widgets using the SDK for a chance to win cash prizes.

Samsung Mobile Innovator will begin accepting application submissions today, at www.samsungmobileusa.com/devcamp, through August 31, 2009. Selected applicants will be notified of acceptance into the camp on September 2, 2009. Samsung’s Widget Developer Camp weekend will kick-off with a cocktail event on September 11 and beginning September 12, developers will have access to a Wi-Fi-equipped, catered and staffed meeting space for 24 hours. During this time, attendees will burn the midnight oil to develop widgets in five categories:

• Social Media
• News/Reference
• Health/Fitness
• Travel/Entertainment
• Humor/Fun

At the end of the Widget Developer Camp, a panel of VIP judges will select a winner in each category, who will each be awarded a $5,000 prize. The judges will award one Best in Show winner, who will receive $20,000 and the opportunity to attend CTIA IT & Entertainment 2009 in San Diego from October 7-10, 2009 and have their widget showcased in Samsung’s booth. To apply, for full rules and regulations and for additional information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com/devcamp.